If Trump's plans for mass deportations penetrate California’s heartland, it almost surely would decimate the workforce farmers rely on to plant and harvest their crops. So, why aren't farmers yelling in protest?

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/22437167

Summary

California farmers, many of whom supported Trump, face a potential crisis as his immigration policies threaten mass deportations of undocumented workers, who make up at least half of the state’s 162,000 farm labor force.

Deportations could devastate agriculture, leading to labor shortages, unharvested crops, and rising food prices.

Farmers hope for solutions such as workforce legalization or expanded H-2A guest worker programs, though these have been criticized for exploitation risks.

Historical parallels to programs like “Operation Wetback” and the bracero system highlight possible labor and human rights challenges ahead.

  • octopus_inkOPEnglish
    3·
    1 month ago

    Just like last time, the best outcome we can hope for is that those around him manage to desperately change his mind or blunt the effectiveness of his plans.

    Then of course people will say “Look Trump wasn’t as bad as you said he’d be.” 😬

    • Feathercrown@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      1 month ago

      Yeah, it’s for that reason why I think blunting his badness isn’t the best outcome. People need to learn, stop saving them from themselves.

    • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      1 month ago

      I will be overjoyed if I can ever say trump wasn’t as bad as I expected him to be. But so far he’s always managed to be worse, despite my very low expectations.